Two soldiers were killed while four were wounded among the Bravo Company of the 46^th IB after a harassment operation by a team from the Arnulfo Ortiz Command (AOC or NPA-Western Samar) at Purok 1, Brgy. Mabini, Basey, Samar yesterday, August 30, at around 3:55 in the afternoon.

The AOC carried out the harassment operation (“haras-bomba”) against 17 elements of the Bravo Coy who have been launching operations in the area since August 25. The location of the explosion was not more 20 minutes away from the military camp in Brgy. Mabini.

The soldiers retaliated five minutes later. Due to their indiscriminate firing, a 14-year old child was grazed by their bullet. Red fighters immediately assisted the child who is now safe from harm.

The Samarnon were delighted by the NPA’s military action against the soldiers. They have long yearned for the 46^th IB to be punished for their grave human rights abuses. The 46^th IB is responsible for the killing of the barangay captain of Beri, Calbiga last April, threats and forced surrenders of peasants in Calbiga and Pinabacdao, torture of three peasants in Basey, and many other rights violations.#